19 Rochester-Area Chocolatiers

It’s hard to play favorites–any one of our fine Rochester-area chocolatiers makes for a great day trip detour or destination! Many of the chocolates are still crafted by 3rd- and 4th-generation descendants using traditional family recipes with modern twists.

I am currently on a mission to try all of the sponge candies. So far I’ve enjoyed Stever’s, Oliver’s, Wegmans (produced by Landies Candies in Buffalo), and, now gone but not forgotten, Peter’s Sweet Shop on S. Clinton. And this year, I’m buying myself a Golden Ticket to Fowler’s factory tour to see how sponge candy is made!

Stever’s Milk and Dark Chocolate Sponge Candy

Rochester chocolatiers

1. Andy’s Candies (1917) Their factory is on Hudson Ave. (not open for tours), with several suburban retail locations that have been operational for decades. Current chocolatiers are 4th generation descendants of the original owner.

Of special note, Vingeri Chocolates has some exciting things in store for chocolate-lovers in Rochester! I reached out to CEO Alex Vigneri about their concept for a new chocolate factory experience center. He said the new space will encourage guests to see how chocolate is made, to craft their own chocolate creation. Vigneri is close to finalizing the details, and is projecting to open the new facility in late fall of 2018. He also said they are “hoping to incorporate Augmented Reality [into] the experience.”